ANT McPartlin forms one half of the popular ITV presenting duo Ant and Dec, but he hit the headlines in March after being involved in a drink-driving accident.

He’s now stepped away from TV commitments “for the foreseeable future” – here is the lowdown on him as he misses the Bafta TV Awards 2018…

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Ant McPartlin is a British television presenter

Who is Ant McPartlin?

Anthony David “Ant” McPartlin, OBE, 42, was born on November 18, 1975.

He is an English television presenter, producer and actor.

He is best known as one half of the TV presenting duo Ant & Dec, with best pal Declan Donnelly.

Ant stands at 5 foot 8 inches tall.

When did Ant McPartlin plead guilty to drink driving?

On Sunday, March 18, Ant was involved in a three-car smash in Richmond, London.

On Wednesday, March 21, the Met Police confirmed the TV star was being charged with drink driving.

McPartlin attended Kingston police station and was interviewed before being charged.

The presenter was fined £86,000 and given a 20-month driving ban after pleading guilty to drink driving in April 2018.

Tcc - the Children's Channel

Ant and Dec shot to fame as PJ & Duncan

How did Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly meet?

Ant met Dec on the children’s television show Byker Grove when he joined in 1990. Dec was on the show from 1989.

They played PJ (Ant) and Duncan (Dec), sharing storylines and creating a friendship off-screen as well as on.

After leaving Byker Grove, they launched a pop career in 1994, known as PJ & Duncan – their characters on Byker Grove.

However, the duo’s music career didn’t last too long as their record label decided not to renew their contract in 1997 – but after they had already re-branded as Ant and Dec.

Having become real life best friends, their on-screen chemistry proved a winner and they moved into comedy presenting.

What shows have Ant and Dec presented?

Ant and Dec have formed one of the most successful partnerships in TV, and are known as television royalty.

They have fronted a number of shows, but really hit the big time when they presented children’s Saturday morning show SMTV Live, which launched the career of Cat Deeley, as well as CD:UK, a music chart show.

They then moved away from kids’ TV and have had success with Saturday Night Takeaway and are also well known for fronting I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out of Here and Britain’s Got Talent.

PA:Press Association

Ant and Dec are considered British television royalty

What is Ant McPartlin’s net worth?

Ant’s net worth is estimated to be around £62million.

His 2007 presenting deal with ITV was rumoured to be worth around £40million and a more recent deal is said to be worth around £30million – split between himself and Dec.

It is also reported that they are each insured against the other’s death, with the amount reportedly being around £1million.

Is Ant divorcing his wife?

On January 14, 2018, The Sun revealed that Ant is divorcing his wife of 11 years Lisa Armstrong.

In a statement released to The Sun on Sunday, Ant’s spokesman said: “In response to the recent speculation in the media, Ant is very sad to announce that, after 11 years, he is ending his marriage to Lisa McPartlin.

“Ant asks for privacy at this difficult time, for both himself, Lisa and their immediate families. No further statement will be made.”

It is also reported that she could get HALF of his fortune, meaning she could walk away with £31million.

The couple got together in the 90s during his pop career, and when she was in a band called Deuce.

They don’t have any children.

The Sun exclusively revealed on March 29, 2018 that Lisa wants Ant to get rid of “toxic” hangers-on in a hope they can reconcile.

Strictly make-up artist Lisa Armstrong thinks they led him to bad decisions which resulted in them separating.

A pal said: “Lisa has told close pals that she thinks Ant is lost without her and that the toxic people around him turned him against her.

“She thinks the fact he’s now hit rock-bottom will push him back to her and that he wasn’t thinking straight when he filed for divorce.

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